Who would have though that the tick that carries Lyme disease in our community also carries several other diseases, one of which is malaria-like, lying dormant in the liver only to later attack the blood cells? And who would have thought that the other disease, which attacks white blood cells, was first identified in horses in California? These diseases are called Babesiosis and Ehrlichosis respectively, and I have them both, and they are life threatening. I was diagnosed by tick-borne disease specialists in Northern California, one who travels to southern California monthly, including Malibu, to treat patents like me who are co-infected.
Our local newspapers have been supportive in publishing articles on Lyme and tick-borne diseases and I appreciate their consideration, because I know first hand the importance of public awareness of this growing epidemic in our state and in our community.
Barbara Barsocchini